2008 Woodie Awards
VISTA volunteers attempt to increase service learning at MU
Vince Alexander
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: Campus
In an effort to increase service learning on and around campus, Miami University, along with 21 other colleges throughout the country, has been chosen as a host campus for the AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America).
According to Monica Ways, director of community engagement and service at Miami, in order to promote civic engagement, the two VISTAs on campus will be focusing on a commitment to community service, community collaboration and service learning.
"Miami's definition of service learning is that it fuses scholarship and experience through reflection to deepen course content and enhance civic responsibility," Ways said. "We wereosen as a host campus based on the strength of our application."
According to Ways, member institutions submit grant requests to Ohio Campus Compact, a state-based coalition that works to promote civic engagement. They in turn receive money from AmeriCorps, a division of the Peace Corps that is focused on service in the United States.
"The VISTAs are not Miami employees," Ways said. "They are funded by AmeriCorps and can be from anywhere in the country."
The two current VISTAs, Notre Dame University graduate Ariel Klingaman and Denison University alumna Emily Dicke, will volunteer at Miami for one year and then new VISTAs will be brought in each year for the next five years.
Both VISTAs expressed excitement about their work at Miami.
"I think this is a great opportunity to reflect on what needs to be done in the community and empowering people to create change," Dicke said.
Klingaman agreed.
"This is a great opportunity to do service in social non-profit groups, and make a positive difference," she said.
The VISTAs have collaborated with the Office of Community Engagement and Service to connect students, faculty and community.
"Community engagement encompasses much more than the typical service projects," Ways said. "If you think of community engagement as an umbrella over service learning, social advocacy, and volunteering-all of those things are considered
According to Monica Ways, director of community engagement and service at Miami, in order to promote civic engagement, the two VISTAs on campus will be focusing on a commitment to community service, community collaboration and service learning.
"Miami's definition of service learning is that it fuses scholarship and experience through reflection to deepen course content and enhance civic responsibility," Ways said. "We wereosen as a host campus based on the strength of our application."
According to Ways, member institutions submit grant requests to Ohio Campus Compact, a state-based coalition that works to promote civic engagement. They in turn receive money from AmeriCorps, a division of the Peace Corps that is focused on service in the United States.
"The VISTAs are not Miami employees," Ways said. "They are funded by AmeriCorps and can be from anywhere in the country."
The two current VISTAs, Notre Dame University graduate Ariel Klingaman and Denison University alumna Emily Dicke, will volunteer at Miami for one year and then new VISTAs will be brought in each year for the next five years.
Both VISTAs expressed excitement about their work at Miami.
"I think this is a great opportunity to reflect on what needs to be done in the community and empowering people to create change," Dicke said.
Klingaman agreed.
"This is a great opportunity to do service in social non-profit groups, and make a positive difference," she said.
The VISTAs have collaborated with the Office of Community Engagement and Service to connect students, faculty and community.
"Community engagement encompasses much more than the typical service projects," Ways said. "If you think of community engagement as an umbrella over service learning, social advocacy, and volunteering-all of those things are considered
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